HISTORICAL DATA ANALYSIS AND ARCHIVAL SCIENCES

The course The “Historical Data Analysis and Archival Sciences” offers students of the master's degree in "Digital and Public Humanities" and in "Archival and Library Studies" an in-depth knowledge of the fundamentals of analyzing the content of serial archival documents.

On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
• describe key theoretical and conceptual archival vs. record content frameworks;
• identify basic archival series’ typologies, their content structures and their features;
• analyze different archival architectures and their formation;
• situate the historical record production within the broader context of European archival practice.
• distinguish between a simple database and a relational one.

The course does not require any particular preparation. For those who intend to pass the exam as non attenders: the final project work (to be considered as the final exam) requires the knowledge of two instruments explained during the course: RDF and the construction of a relational database in EXCEL with the help of PK e FK.

The course sets out key theories and practical work of archival architecture confronting classical approaches to record context (the historical method) with contemporary research methods regarding record content. It aims to identify content typologies for each record series, the series’ basic data units, track the logical data structure and link on a meta-content level recurrent key-signifiers while eluding their record topography. The module will likewise illustrate the difference between archival record architecture and content record architecture underlying at the basis of a new digital humanities approach to archival sciences.

The Historian's Macroscope: Big Digital History. An experiment in writing in public, one page at a time, by S. Graham, I. Milligan, & S. Weingart
https://www.themacroscope.org/?author=2

Analysis of the content of an archival typology according to the method learned in the course using RDF and the EXCEL spreadsheets in order to build a relational database.

Frontal introductory lesson and laboratories with groups (2-3 students each)

English

The project work’s theme is to be assigned by the teacher and is individual.
It is reaffirmed that the project work is in fact the final exam. Therefore, students are required NOT to present themselves on the exam date published on the web. This date is valid for the delivery of the project work via mail. The tutor will communicate the date of discussion of the project work to be held some days after the delivery of the project work. The discussion will take place at the tutor's office (Malcanton Marcorà, second floor, studio C14)..
Reception hours: Only by appontment either in presence or online.
Ca’ Foscari abides by Italian Law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) regarding support services and accommodation available to students with disabilities. This includes students with mobility, visual, hearing and other disabilities (Law 17/1999), and specific learning impairments (Law 170/2010). If you have a disability or impairment that requires accommodations (i.e., alternate testing, readers, note takers or interpreters) please contact the Disability and Accessibility Offices in Student Services: disabilita@unive.it

written

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Cities, infrastructure and social capital" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development